If you’re so keen
on dancing
with The Devil..
Then you better learn
The Devil’s basic step.
Indeed, he was the only one
who saw me through
and kept me on my feet..
in those dark days
when God still slept.

It’s easy..
one step forward,
two steps back.
Cross-stepping
sideways
to the rhythm
of his fiddle..
with a happy look
upon your face.
And if yours
happens to be
naturally dour,
Thalia will offer you
her mask.

There is
a ballroom etiquette
that he expects
to be observed
with proper tact.
And if you must
transgress it..
you may find
the mask of
Melpomene
upon your face
instead..
before we reach
the grand conclusion
of his final act.